Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-01-21
E.,nLY oUIKEn M4RHIAGEs.

EiRLY OUIKER M.IRRIAGES.
Before two Quakers could marry
that is, and remain in the societv-the
parties were required to attend a meet
ing and publicly announce their inten-
ton of being welded. A committee
was then appointed, which Instituted
inquiries to discover, among other
things, whether the man was in po-
sition to marry, and whether he was
free from the claims of any earlier af-
lection. They also inquired into the
state OF his health, and whether his re-
lations had any objection to his marry
ing, and if not, if they saw reason to
object to the wife he had chosen. A
committee of women made similar in
quiries regarding the girl, and were
very particular in examining whether
she had ever flirted unwisely or other
wise misconducted herself. That the
young couple had not sufficient means
to marry upon was not considered in
itself an insuperable bar. for the So
ciety, not having the fear of Nautilus
before it's eyes, had fund from which
grants could be made towards furnish
ing. In very early times the parties
were expected to be accompanied by
their parents. or at least to bring duly
signed and witnessed assents from them,
when they attended to announce their
intention OF getting married, but this
was soon given up.
On date fixed, the parties were re.
CURED to attend another meeting, when,
after they had stated they We're still in
the same mind and if the committees
of inquiry had reported favorably, per-
mission to marry was formally given,
and day for the nuptials fixed.
There was no approach to formal
ceremony at the wedding. After g
period of WORSHIP generally silent
the engaged pair stood up and took
each other for better or worse; q cert.
ticate recording the fact was then read
and signed by a number of witnesses,
never less than twelve; then perhaps
few friends might be moved to speak,
but if not, silent worship was resumed
as calmly as if nothing of Importance
had just taken place.
Fox never lost an opportunity of i'm.
pressing on his followers the import
ance of having marriages duly witnessed
and registered, for very early in the
history of the society an event occurred
which showed the necessity for these
details. In England, unless the parents
have married according to law, the
children are, as every one knows, illegi.
innate. The primitive Quakers were
in rather an awkward fix, for their con.
sciences would not allow them to be
married at church, and there was in
those days no by-way to matrimony via
q registrars office. From about the
year 1850 they had taken each other in
tho manner described, and lest ques-
ticns should arise. they had been
studions that the certificates should be
largely signed. Some of the certificates
are still in existence, and frequently
bear the signatures Of thirty or more
witnesses. Still, the validity of the
ceremony was constantly denied. The
legality Of these marriages was set at
rest forever in 1862 by case tried at
Nottingham. -Lo7et1o7t Society.
IN THE MIDST OF TURKISH LIFE.
When We step unon the bridge we
are i'll the midst of Turkish life. There
are stands of bread, cakes, sweets,
toys, etc, as the case may be, and
which are movable, for one often meets
the owner of a shop with it on his head,
and calling in the most doleful tone
that sounds like cha, g." o,
"ou." These men dress in the queerest
fashion, and have the appearance as
though their clothes had been thrown
on md strapped down and left there
for years. doubt if they could eve1
get these rags on again SO as to cover
their bodies if they We're so foolhardy
as to attempt the task of taking them
off Those who do hard, hot work
wear very thin shirt, generally open
in front. Many of them have species
Of leathern cushion attached to their
back, and then carry such loads as
trunks, heavy barrels, ETC., indeed, SO
heavy that they bend until their bodies
IRE ut right angles with their legs.
Such beggars as we saw here! Just !
such as We have read about, but never
dreamed to be half SO bad. Most OF
them have their eyes put out, in order
to appear the more pitiful, and then sit
or wander about, muttering to you OF
following along in hope of securing
aims. No one pays them any attention,
for all know how unworthy they are.
In the country it is not uncommon for
them to break their cllildren's legs. and
then allow them to grow crooked, or
cut off their hands or put out their
eyes, then dress them in the worst rags
possible and send them to the city tc
beg. -Constonti'aople Cor. San Fran.